Seattle’s Chad Marshall named MLS defender of the year

Sounders center back Chad Marshall has been named the 2014 MLS defender of the year, the league announced Tuesday.

Marshall previously won the award in 2008 and 2009 with the Columbus Crew, making him the first three-time winner in league history. He beat out D.C. United’s Bobby Boswell and Omar Gonzalez of the L.A. Galaxy — Boswell won both the club and media votes, but Marshall handily took the players’ tally to finish highest in weighted total.

In his first year with Seattle, Marshall has led the league with 136 interceptions and an impressive 126 headers won, 206 clearances and an 83% passing accuracy.

“I’m very honored to be named defender of the year and it’s a testament to the great season we’ve had,” Marshall said in a team release. “I feel privileged to be a Sounder and I can’t thank my teammates, coaches, organization and fans enough.

“Defense is a team effort, so on behalf of the rest of the defenders, I’m happy to accept this award.”

Marshall is the first Seattle player to win the award, as well as the first of four Sounders up for 2014 postseason awards. Obafemi Martins is one of three finalists for MVP, Sigi Schmid is still alive for coach of the year and Stefan Frei is on the shortlist for comeback player of the year — full schedule for those release dates can be found here.